IN CHRIST ALL WILL BE MADE ALIVE
1 Corinthians 15:12-34
Key Verse: 15:22
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Last week God reminded us of the Gospel Paul preached to the Corinthians. Christ died for our sins, he was buried and rose again on the third day! It is actually quite hard to imagine, almost impossible to believe, so Paul recounted many witnesses who saw Jesus alive. The main reason for reminding the Corinthians of these witnesses was to re-establish the facts because a contrarly idea was influencing the community. While discussing the necessity and reality of Jesus’ resurrection, Paul shares very insightful knowledge about what Jesus accomplished, human destinies and God’s great plan for Christ and those who believe in him. We might not discuss every detail, but pray we may appreciate the power of Jesus’ resurrection and experience it as well.
Now Paul brought up a theological issue, adding to many other societal and moral issues he advised Corinthians about in the previous chapters. Let’s read verse 12-13. 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. They were in a situation similar to Jewish Sadducees and Pharisees who disputed each other about the possibility and need for a resurrection of individual people. Jesus had some lessons about this with skeptics too, and it remains a challenging subject. There are many ideas that make a resurrection seem impractical and Paul answers some of them late on. He reminded them earlier that Jesus did not rise from the dead as a ghost or just a spiritual entity, leaving his body behind to decay. Many people met Jesus and touched his body. They even shared some snacks with him on some occasions. Some Bible verses show Jesus’ resurrected body was phase changing in some way toward immortality, like appearing and vanishing in the locked room, but the fundamental principle is, Jesus’ resurrection proves resurrection is possible.
Beyond those few witnesses’ testimony, there are a few logical and theological problems addressed in the passage. There might be two root problems, with all the second type resulting from the first. The first problem is that Christ has not been raised from the dead if there is no resurrection. Verse 13, 15, 16 reiterate that in similar ways. The most pressing problems related to this are false witness and powerless God described in verse 15. Those who testified of seeing Jesus alive are false witnesses, since they claim that God raised him from the dead. That would be very heavy on Paul’s Jewish mind because of the commandment about bearing false witness in Moses’ law. His conscience would condemn him harshly for spreading fake news about God. The other devastating implication is the creator god could not rescue innocent Jesus from death or anyone else for that matter. It means God does not have all power and authority over the creation. Some aspects are out of his control and death is stronger than the God of the Bible. It is a rather agnostic, miserable situation to imagine that the universe is potentially out of control because God is unable to fix something.
The other case, Christ has not been raised either, leads to several other problems. The short list:
v14 Preaching the news of his resurrection is useless,
v14, 17 Believers faith is useless and futile,
v17 you are still in your sins,
v18 those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost,
v19 Christian hope is pitiful beyond all others,
v29 those who were baptized lost everything for nothing
v30 apostles faced all kinds of danger, v31 endured daily self-denial, v32 even fought for their lives but had nothing to show for their sacrifice in eternity.
Many of these are relatable and may be summed up by saying, if Christ is dead, there is no way he can help us and all things he said about himself have failed. One important concern is verse 17. Let’s read that one. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. The frightening problem is that you are still in your sins. This goes back to the beginning of the creation and the consequence of sin. It is summed up in the first part of the key verse for this study, “in Adam all die…” We see people all around us dying for all kinds of reasons, old age, diseases, accidents, violence of all sorts and we are utterly powerless to change the situation once someone dies. We wish dying was just a natural part of life, but the Bible shows it is really the consequence of sin in the world. In the big picture, all the ways we die are just symptoms of the genetically passed on fatal disease of sin that descendants of Adam inherit. Sin defiles everyone and makes them unfit for immortality so we die. The only hope is for someone to provide redemption and set us free from death. If Christ only paid for sin, but death has power to hold him, he cannot lead anyone to freedom.
Verse 29 seems good to consider since many decided to be baptized. Let’s read that one too. 29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? When he was a Pharisee, he might baptize gentiles who wanted to follow God by converting to Pharisee Judaism. He would not accept John’s baptism when the new work of God began. And when Jesus’ followers were baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, even though Jesus was supposedly dead, Paul sought to imprison and execute all those heretical cult members. But just a few days after hearing one word from Christ, Paul was baptized and completely changed his mind, life direction and destiny. became a witness for Christ. Was he baptized into the dead man Jesus’ cult? No. That would be silly. There is a presidential election in the USA this year. What would happen if campaigners came asking for donations and votes for Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Roosevelt? It would be silly because they were both elected twice so they can no longer get on the ballots. Even if they got 100% of the votes they could not do anything for anyone because they are dead. Likewise, if Paul was only baptized into the dead man Jesus’ cult, dead Jesus could do nothing for Paul. Paul would be a fool and heretic. What really happened? When he heard the voice of Jesus and was blinded by his heavenly glory, Paul realized Jesus is alive as his follower’s claimed. He became humbly penitent, and boldly switched sides. Acts 9:20 says, Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Soon after that he became an outcast and wanted man among the Jerusalem authorities. Paul wrote of the practical and theological meaning of his baptism in Romans 6. We should assume he expected Corinthians and us to think the same about baptism. He said, “… don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Paul practiced what he preached very earnestly. He put to death his legalistic, Pharisee glory seeking life to death and his new life for Christ became the source of blessing for every nation that has a chance to read the Bible. His hope to share Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life was sure and unshakable because he was united with Christ who surely rose from the dead. Pray that all who will be baptized into Christ may likewise die with him and live the new life as a source of blessing, believing they will share his resurrection and eternal life.
With many conjectures, Paul emphasized that Christian faith includes believing there is a resurrection and that Christ has been raised from the dead. Next he shares some insights about the power of Christ’s resurrection and God’s plan for Christ now that he rose from the dead. Let’s read verse 20. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In verse 20 Paul calls Christ “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” and mentioned it again in verse 23. There are several firstfruit offerings prescribed for Israel in Moses’ laws, typically representing the first or best portion of agricultural products which a priest presents with thanksgiving to God. For instance a sheave of freshly gathered grain was to be presented to God just after Passover and they should not eat bread until they made the offering. Another place the first fruits of all harvests are required as provisions for those serving the worship ministries. They were also required to redeem the first born of all their children and livestock. Such things were likely on Paul’s mind as he considered the world mission harvest field bearing fruit for God. Especially in verse 20, Christ rising from the dead resembles one of the small representative offerings. But there are some other Bible verses that refer to believers as firstfruits in a similar style. In Romans 11:16, Paul compared Jewish people who believed with the firstfruit loaves offered to the temple. In chapter 1:18 of his letter to the twelve tribes, James said similarly that God gave them new birth through the word so they may be kind of firstfruits.. John also wrote of 144,000 believers who were offered as firstfruits to God in Revelation.
In regard to the resurrection of the dead however, Christ the firstfruit is unique. He was the first to die and rise again in a body that is worthy of heaven. His resurrection is even described as a sort of transition point between old and new humanity. Look at verses 21–22. “21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” These verses contrast two representatives of all human beings. Just as Adam, the representative of all sinful humanity, brought sin and death to the world, so Christ, the representative of all who belong to God, brings hope to break free from the curse and serve the living God. Another key to think of are the words “in Christ.” In Adam, everyone died, but in Christ an unimaginable thing is possible: “all will be made alive.” Comparing various Bible verses that mention this, it seems all inclusive, though also multi-faceted. It’s probable that Paul is not only referring to a general resurrection of both good and evil people, but also describing what happens to those who are truly “in Christ,” united with Jesus. He’s the vine; we’re the branches, and to truly be “in” Christ means to “abide” in him. Read more on that in John 15:4-10. Jesus said something about this in John’s gospel. “… a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the son of God and those who hear will live. They seem to be the ones who follow Jesus in this era after hearing the good news. But he also described a future time when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out to face a judgment. It is mysterious. All will be made alive, now or later, and each one will enter life or be condemned.
Let’s read verse 22 again and think briefly about being made alive here and now. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” So what does it mean now to those who are dead in Adam but hear the voice of the Son of Man so that they live? How is life any different? Paul explains elsewhere, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” When the Spirit comes to dwell within us, we’re really made alive. He also said they feel obliged to put to death the misdeeds of the body. The spirit inspires them with desire to please God, as children desire to please their parents.
In practical application, the Bible says we were dead in the trespasses and sins in which we once walked. We had no power to resist the power of sin and the devil. That was living in Adam and we all sinned becoming subject to death. We learned many ways to do evil, harm and destroy each other and the world. Paul said in Ephesians that God, being rich in mercy, and because of his great love, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. This is mysterious beyond all imagination. When someone sins against us, we hold a grudge and hate them and curse them forever, wishing the worst on them. But God has mercy on such evil creatures, inviting them to share his kingdom and everlasting life through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Being made alive, we become like the fish that swim against the current, serving God against the strong pull of the world and other spiritually dead people. It’s Christ’s resurrection power that transforms us into new creations. See also what Paul told another group in Colossians 2:12-14. “12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God … God made you alive with Christ.” Isn’t that odd? They were alive before they met Paul, but he described them as made alive only after they put faith in God’s power? These describe a new dimension for humanity where they are uniquely able to live before God and even live for God now and forever. Jesus called it, “life to the full” in John 10:10. Some versions translate that as “life more abundant.” What is it like to be alive in Christ? John said we’re full of light (Jn1:4) and the light of the world according to Matthew 5:14. John 17:3 says “alive in Christ” is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. John also wrote in his first letter (1 John 3:14; 4:9-11) that people are full of God’s love for one another. Praise God for life to the full that is connected to heaven through Christ and full of love for each other on earth.
Look at verse 22b again. “…so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” In light of what comes before and after this verse (21b,23), “made alive” is not only hope for something different in this world. It does not end when we die. It also includes the future, when all will be raised from the dead. When Jesus comes again, he’s going to raise us from the dead and give us a glorious resurrection body which Paul writes about in the last parts of this chapter. According to verse 23-26, there is a divine timeline of resurrecting and overcoming the world that Christ is actively working out now. Look at verse 23 & 24. “23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” Indirectly this tells us what Jesus is doing now that he is risen and ascended to heaven. If we only see the world around us and news headlines, it seems Satan reigns supreme, tempting people to sin and die and mistreat and murder each other. But the Risen Christ is quietly and steadily conquering the world, advancing God’s kingdom. He once said, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33). One other time, ” …having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) Jesus’ descriptions hint that the kingdom we can experience at this time is not a political entity. Rather it is more like a house and temple made of living stones and individual houses where God and the Lord are happy to visit and eat with his people. (John 14:23) Jesus is reigning over the world like this, subtly, sometimes secretly, sometimes very powerfully but always within the hearts of those who put their faith and hope in him.
Look at verse 25. “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” This seems like a reference to a prophecy in Psalm 110:1. The same Psalm also describes Christ as a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. According to Saint Luke Jesus appeared to his disciples here and there over 40 days after his resurrection. Then he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. It must be when his reign over this creation began. Also ,Hebrews says Jesus is also serving the High Priestly role today in heaven at the same time he is waiting for God to put all his enemies under his feet. Verse 24 describes some enemies as all dominion, authority and power, this includes all the evil spiritual forces siding with the devil behind the scenes and all the crooked people using their knowledge of evil to put themselves in the place of God. They do that in families, communities and over nations causing hardship and suffering for many.
Verse 26 says the last enemy to be destroyed will be death. These days, many who are in Adam convince each other there is no God and no afterlife saying we will just decay and be gone. Because of their influence, many are embracing death as a good thing for a bad reason. They want to die so they end their problems, thinking it will be good for them. They hope to hide from God by dying but they are actually taking sides with death, the last enemy that will be destroyed. God made mankind to care for his creation and worship him forever, but in Adam, we all fell short of his glory. Death seemed to reign over us and entice us away from the giver of life. Death is public enemy number 1 from God’s point of view. In the revelation John recorded a glimpse of death being destroyed. The devil and his helpers were cast into a lake of fire, then all the people who ever died suddenly appeared before a throne for judgment. Death lost its grip on them and then it was also thrown into the lake of fire along with all the other troublemakers. We cannot hide from God, but we learn from this letter that we can come to him, seeking forgiveness and restoration thanks to his one and only son.
Verse 28 foretells the completion of God’s work subduing all Jesus’ enemies under his feet. At the very end, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to God the Father, humbly and respectfully making himself subject to the one who put all things under him. It seems a little strange that the person who won the victory should hand over everything to someone else, but Christ’s desire is that God may be all in all. It is a metaphorical way of describing a completely restored creation, operating 100% intune with the creator. We glimpse how nice it is when we humbly yield ourselves to God’s purpose, but we still experience some sorrows and frustrations. Thank God we can look forward to a wonderful kingdom where we serve God 100% forever with no more temptation, crying, death or pain.
Let’s read the key verse one more time. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” This passage has many nuances, prophetic insights and theological topics. We could not review them all today. But we could remember that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead and review what it means to be united with him in his death so that we may be made alive in him and share his resurrection. He is giving life to all those who come to God in him by faith and there will be an end to all that plagues and bothers us when God completely brings all enemies under his feet. Some here recently decided to put their hope for life in Christ, sharing his death through baptism. Pray for them and for each other to put our sinful nature to death and die every day so we may experience new life to the full as children of God and fellow heirs of his kingdom with Christ the Lord. Let’s pray.